Each week, I spotlight a wine that truly captivates—whether for its distinctive character, fascinating story, or the sheer delight it brings to the glass. This week’s feature is the 2015 Drew Family Wines Syrah Perli Vineyard, a stunning cool-climate Syrah from the extraordinary Mendocino Ridge AVA in Mendocino County.
Drew Family Wines
Jason and Molly Drew started Drew in 2000 with a clear pursuit in mind: to craft small-lot, cool-climate wines that express site distinction and traditional varietal character. Their moment came when they stumbled upon an old 26-acre apple orchard within the Mendocino Ridge Appellation. While others saw a daunting project in this forgotten orchard, They saw an opportunity for an estate vineyard in teh ancient oceanic soils, south-facing slopes at 1,250 feet elevation—just above the fog line—and a true coastal climate, with the ocean a mere 3.3 miles away. It didn’t take long for them to decide jump in with both feet. The Drew estate winery at Faîte De Mer Farm (which translates to “Crest of the Sea” in French) was born.
I was introduced to Drew Family Wines at an In Pursuit of Balance tasting and immediately became a fan of their balanced, minimal-intervention, cool-climate wines. Their dedication to crafting wines of elegance and site expression left a lasting impression, and I’ve followed their journey ever since.
According to the Mendocino Winegrowers, the Mendocino Ridge is the only non-contiguous AVA in America. It includes vineyards at elevations of 1,200 feet or more within 10 miles of the
This Article was originally published on ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
